Anoa are known by naturalists as the smallest buffalo species in the world. Now, a tiny female has joined the ranks of Chester Zoo’s ever-expanding population of over 35,000 animals.
After being carried to term by mum Darcy, the newborn arrived weighing only seven kilograms and standing 50 centimetres tall. A diminutive species by buffalo standards, even once fully grown anoa are typically just a metre high.
Recently, the zoo shared footage of the two-week-old calf finding her feet on an initial outdoor adventure beyond the security of her den. Team Manager at Chester Zoo, Emma Evison, commented saying that both Darcy and her baby were doing brilliantly and that the calf had grown in confidence and strength.
In the wild, Anoa are highly endangered, but the newborn brings fresh hope as part of a dedicated breeding programme to save the species from extinction. Only found on one place on the planet, Sulawesi, an Indonesia Island, the lowland anoa live in swamps and forests. Human activities like mining and agriculture have seen forests cleared, causing loss of habitat for the species and devastating its numbers. With less natural cover, the anoa have become easy targets for hunters to track.
Field conservationist for Chester Zoo, Amy Humphreys, coordinates a specialist group in South East Asia and is now working to scientifically monitor anoas in the wild, raising global awareness of its plight and establishing educational programmes in Indonesia.
Visitors can now see the little calf investigating her enclosure when they spend the day at Chester Zoo.